HOW TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL DRUG COURT MONTH Connie M. Payne Executive Officer Tina Messer Regional Specialist Kentucky’s Administrative Office of the Courts Department of Statewide Services

HOW KENTUCKY HAS CELEBRATED DRUG COURT MONTH Graduations Proclamations Educational activities Community events Community service projects

1 st Steps… Review the NADCP Drug Court Month kit Boil it down even more -- make it easy: theme, national grad. date; time frame; grad. roll call & photo release forms separately Develop a committee – local or statewide

1 st Steps… For statewide activities – choose point person to coordinate; talk with local for ideas/thoughts on a project & how to get the word out to staff & teams As time goes on, send reminder to document & send in all newspaper articles/ photos

LOCAL EVENTS: 1 st steps What project/event? what is the purpose of the project what message do you want to get out how will it benefit participants & community

LOCAL EVENTS: 1 st steps Date: determine which dignitaries you “must” have in attendance (legislators; judges; local leaders) check their calendars before selecting a date local events/dates you can partner with? local events/dates to avoid?

LOCAL EVENTS: 1 st steps Location: what are the needs of the event where will you get maximum participation/attendance anyone who can donate or reserve the space for free?

LOCAL EVENTS: 1 st steps Think: what will make the event flow smoothly, make guests feel welcome, get the message out, educate, etc. is the event mandatory for DC participants who is assigned what task

LOCAL EVENTS: 1 st steps Who can do the work: Participants – Phase 3 or aftercare can develop plans/event from the idea through implementation Team Community organizations

LOCAL EVENTS: 1 st steps Timeline - set out a timeline or time-task plan Invitations – reach out to members of Congress, local leaders, legislators to attend, kick off or conclude the event

LOCAL EVENTS: 1 st steps Alert the press: contact newspapers, TV (including local access channels), radio, neighborhood magazines inform media which dignitaries are attending inform media of purpose of event send media some basic information/ background regarding Drug Court

LOCAL EVENTS: 1 st steps Documenting the event: determine who will take photographs, copy/find links of media coverage determine who will submit info to NADCP Preserving the event: create a scrapbook so all can see how much & how often DC participants give back

SPECIFIC EVENTS (4-6 month planning) Health fair: Purpose – focus participants & families on physical health; educate the health-care community & community about DC Attendees - invite public; AVOL; Health Dept. (immunizations/HIV tests); nutritionists; dentists; hospitals; etc.

SPECIFIC EVENTS (4-6 month planning) Resource Fair: Purpose – One-stop shopping for participants and public. People can apply for social services such as food stamps, SSI, veterans services, housing, etc… Attendees - invite community coalitions, social services agencies, public, DC participants

SPECIFIC EVENTS (4-6 month planning) Job Fair: Purpose – Provide opportunities for employers to meet potential employees and vice versa Attendees – Invite potential and current employers, career development agencies, resume writers, vocational rehabilitation, public, DC participants

SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning) Volunteer projects/give backs: Purpose – give back to the community; educate the community that addicts are not bad people Getting started – contact the County Judge Executive or Mayor to learn of volunteer projects Examples – recycling facilities; park clean-up after ball games/events

SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning) Sponsor appreciation dinner: Purpose - show appreciation for all sponsors do Getting started - set date & location; participants take over planning and development Participant picnic: Purpose – sober fun event for the family Getting started – invite leaders, team members, dignitaries, community partners

SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning) Recovery walks: Purpose – educate the community about addiction and Drug Court; promote a clean, healthy lifestyle Getting started – set date & location; invite community leaders, other groups (partner with an existing walk?) Examples – Race for Recovery; partner with Relay for Life, Kosairs Children’s Hospital

SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning) Sporting events: Purpose – demonstrate sober, healthy way to have fun Getting started – set date & location; invite local legal community Examples – basketball, volleyball, softball games/ tournaments

INTERNAL EVENTS Participant stories: Purpose – help show participants where they were & where they are now Excellent material to make into a booklet for legislators, community leaders Artwork: Purpose – cathartic for the participant. Showcases the recovering person’s perspective of addiction.

INTERNAL EVENTS Memory chain: Purpose – help remind participants of why and/or how they remain in recovery Photos attached to construction chain Excellent visual impact – addiction is larger than just the participant Book of letters: Purpose – therapeutic exercise for the author. It serves as a message of hope and inspiration to others.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS Disposal of Prescription Drugs: Coordinate with local law enforcement Speak-Outs: Similar to domestic violence “Take Back the Night” rallies – speaking out against drug use Invite legislators, community groups, judges Candlelight vigil for all who have been lost to addiction (death, jail, still using)

BOTTOM LINE Plan Invite Congress members, legislators, community leaders Alert the press Document, regardless of size of the event Preserve documentation

CONTACT INFORMATION Tina Messer Regional Specialist Statewide Services, Division of Drug Court Connie M. Payne Executive Officer, Statewide Services